You know those moments where you think, “Did that just happen?” I get those a lot. And I know I can’t be the only one out there. But I have to admit, sometimes it feels like it.
When the phone rang, I glanced at the number. It was not connected to a name, but I recognized the area code. I didn’t catch the call but I did catch the voicemail. It was a friend of my mother’s who was in town visiting.
Long story short, I offered for my mother and I to meet them for church then join them for lunch. When we met up with her in the church lobby, I noticed the daughter of this woman, who was with her, was not doing well. Let’s say something was very “off.” My mother noticed it too.
As the morning progressed, I could see this person was not doing well. At the end, as the congregation began to exit, the daughter slipped out for a moment. It was then the mother told us, “She was raped this past week.”
We were dumfounded. Suddenly, the oddness I felt earlier, changed to immense compassion and sadness.
It didn’t take long. As the food was being served, the girl began to pour out every detail of the horrid event, right there in the restaurant. I had a feeling she would get to that point, and pop, and she did. Awkward.
We just sat there. All listening. Letting her divulge and cry. The situation and what she endured in the park that day was beyond my comprehension. People are so evil. And this story was certainly unlike any other I had experienced.
Do you ever find yourself in situations that seem “above your pay grade?” If so, I fully understand. It’s moments like these when you realize you simply don’t have what it takes to fix the problem. You don’t have the required skills.
But you know what? You don’t have to have them. At those moments, people just want you to listen. To accept them. To hear their story, over, and over, and over again if need be. They just need you there. Physically present. To listen. To hug.
That girl will not be healed soon. This is a very long path and journey that she has been thrown on to and forced to take against her will. But she will always know there truly are people out there who care for her and that will be there for her. And listen.
Remember: it’s just about being there.
Thot for today:
You don’t have to be an expert. You can point them in that direction and get them the help that they need. Just know that your willingness to care, at that moment, that’s all they are really asking for. And needing.
Just my thoughts.
S.
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